The Most Difficult Mountain to Climb in Ireland, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the mountain you think is the most difficult!
Updated on May 7, 2024 06:25
Determining the most challenging mountain to climb in Ireland is not just a matter of personal achievement, but also a way to assist climbers in preparing for their adventures. An accurate ranking based on climber votes provides valuable insights into the experiences and obstacles faced on various peaks. This information helps in planning for safety, equipment, and training needs specific to each mountain.
By participating in voting, climbers contribute to a collective knowledge base that benefits the entire community. Your input not only influences the list but also aids others in making informed decisions about where to focus their climbing efforts. This dynamic voting process ensures the list remains relevant and reflective of real-world conditions and challenges.
What Is the Most Difficult Mountain to Climb in Ireland?
-
184votesWith a height of 1,038 meters, Carrauntoohil is the highest mountain in Ireland and is located in County Kerry. It is also known for its unpredictable weather conditions and steep climb, making it a challenging climb for experienced hikers.Carrauntoohil is the highest peak in Ireland, standing proudly in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks mountain range. It is located in County Kerry and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys, lakes, and rugged landscapes. Carrauntoohil is a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers, attracting adventurers from around the world.
- Elevation: 1,038 meters (3,406 feet)
- Location: County Kerry, Ireland
- Mountain Range: Macgillycuddy's Reeks
- Prominence: 1,038 meters (3,406 feet)
- Difficulty: Challenging
-
244votesLocated in County Kerry, Mount Brandon stands at 952 meters and is known for its rough terrain and steep inclines. It also offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, making it a popular climb for experienced hikers.Mount Brandon is the most difficult mountain to climb in Ireland. It is located in County Kerry, on the Dingle Peninsula, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. With its rugged terrains and steep slopes, Mount Brandon offers a challenging and thrilling climbing experience for adventure enthusiasts. Its majestic height and stunning views make it an appealing destination for hikers seeking a unique and rewarding expedition.
- Location: County Kerry, Ireland
- Elevation: 952 meters (3,123 feet)
- Difficulty Level: Challenging
- Terrain: Rugged and steep
- Scenic Views: Overlooks the Atlantic Ocean
-
317votesLocated in County Mayo, Mweelrea is the highest mountain in the province of Connacht, standing at 814 meters. It is known for its rocky terrain and steep climb, making it a challenging climb for experienced hikers.Mweelrea is the highest mountain in Connacht and the highest peak in County Mayo, Ireland. It is a formidable mountain known for its rugged and challenging terrain. Mweelrea offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the nearby Doo Lough and Killary Harbour.
- Elevation: 814 meters (2,671 feet)
- Prominence: 779 meters (2,556 feet)
- Location: County Mayo, Connacht, Ireland
- Coordinates: 53.6594°N, 9.8303°W
- Type: Mountain
-
45votes
Slieve Donard
Natural formationLocated in County Down, Slieve Donard stands at 850 meters and is the highest peak in Northern Ireland. It is known for its challenging climb and unpredictable weather conditions, making it a popular climb for experienced hikers.Slieve Donard is the highest peak in Northern Ireland and one of the most challenging mountains to climb in Ireland. Located in County Down, it is part of the Mourne Mountains range. Standing at a height of 853 meters (2,799 feet), it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Irish Sea and the picturesque town of Newcastle. The mountain is named after Saint Donard, who was a disciple of Saint Patrick and established a hermitage at its summit in the 5th century.- Elevation: 853 meters (2,799 feet)
- Location: County Down, Northern Ireland
- Mountain Range: Mourne Mountains
- Difficulty Level: Challenging
- Views: Panoramic views of the Irish Sea and Newcastle
-
58votesLocated in County Wicklow, Lugnaquilla is the highest mountain in the province of Leinster, standing at 925 meters. It is known for its challenging terrain and unpredictable weather conditions, making it a popular climb for experienced hikers.Lugnaquilla is the highest mountain in Ireland outside of County Kerry. Located in County Wicklow, it is part of the Wicklow Mountains and stands at an elevation of 925 meters (3,035 feet). Lugnaquilla is known for its rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and challenging climbing routes, often making it a tough mountain to conquer.
- Height: 925 meters (3,035 feet)
- Location: County Wicklow, Ireland
- Mountain Range: Wicklow Mountains
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Terrain: Rugged
-
619votes
EamonnPKeane at English Wikipedia · Public domainLocated in County Mayo, Croagh Patrick stands at 764 meters and is known for its steep incline and challenging terrain. It is also a popular pilgrimage site and attracts thousands of visitors each year.Croagh Patrick is a well-known and challenging mountain located in County Mayo, Ireland. It is often regarded as one of the most difficult mountains to climb in the country, attracting both seasoned hikers and religious pilgrims. The mountain stands at a height of 764 meters (2,507 feet) and its distinctive conical shape makes it easily recognizable from afar. Croagh Patrick is deeply rooted in Irish history and mythology, being associated with Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is said to have fasted and prayed on its summit for 40 days.- Height: 764 meters (2,507 feet)
- Location: County Mayo, Ireland
- Shape: Conical
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Purpose: Hiking and religious pilgrimage
-
79votesLocated in County Galway, the Twelve Bens is a mountain range that offers a range of challenging climbs for experienced hikers. It is known for its rugged terrain and unpredictable weather conditions, making it a popular destination for adventurous hikers.The Twelve Bens, or Na Beanna Beola in Irish, is a mountain range located in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. It is known for its rugged and challenging terrain, making it one of the most difficult mountain ranges to climb in the country. The Twelve Bens are part of the wider Maumturks Mountain Range and are a popular destination for hikers, mountaineers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Location: Connemara, County Galway, Ireland
- Name: The Twelve Bens / Na Beanna Beola
- Height: Highest peak, Binn Bhán, stands at 729 meters (2,392 ft)
- Number of Peaks: 12 distinctive peaks in total
- Terrain: Rugged and challenging with steep ascents and descents
-
811votes
Patrice78500 · Public domainLocated in County Donegal, Mount Errigal stands at 751 meters and is known for its challenging terrain and steep climb. It is also one of the most iconic mountains in Ireland, with its distinctive quartzite peak visible from miles away.Mount Errigal is the highest peak in County Donegal and one of the most difficult mountains to climb in Ireland. It is a majestic mountain with a distinct pyramidal shape and rugged terrain, located in the northern part of the Derryveagh Mountains. With its imposing presence and stunning views from the summit, Mount Errigal attracts hikers and mountaineers from all over.- Height: 751 meters (2,464 feet)
- Location: County Donegal, Ireland
- Coordinates: 55.0458°N, 8.1106°W
- Difficulty Level: Challenging
- Pyramidal Shape: Distinctive and striking
-
95votesLocated in County Sligo, Benbulbin is a distinctive table mountain that stands at 526 meters. It is known for its challenging terrain and steep incline, as well as its stunning views of the surrounding landscape.Benbulbin is a majestic tabletop mountain located in County Sligo, Ireland. It stands at a height of 526 meters (1,726 feet) and is considered one of the most challenging peaks to climb in the country. Its distinct flat top makes it instantly recognizable and gives it a unique appearance. Benbulbin is composed of a limestone rock formation, which gives the mountain its characteristic steep cliffs and rugged terrain.
- Location: County Sligo, Ireland
- Height: 526 meters (1,726 feet)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Topography: Flat top with steep cliffs
- Rock Composition: Limestone
-
105votesLocated on the border of County Limerick and County Tipperary, Galtymore stands at 918 meters and is the highest peak in the Galty Mountains. It is known for its challenging climb and rugged terrain, as well as its stunning views of the surrounding landscape.Galtymore is the tallest and most challenging mountain to climb in Ireland. It is located in the Galty mountain range along the border between County Limerick and County Tipperary. Standing at an impressive height of 917 meters (3,009 feet), Galtymore offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, making it a popular destination for adventurous hikers and climbers.
- Height: 917 meters (3,009 feet)
- Location: Galty mountain range, between County Limerick and County Tipperary, Ireland
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Terrain: Varied, including steep slopes and rocky sections
- Climbing Routes: Multiple routes available, varying in difficulty
Missing your favorite mountain?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for difficult mountain
-
ElevationThe height of a mountain plays a significant role in determining its difficulty level. Higher mountains usually have more challenging climbing conditions, such as thinner air, lower oxygen levels, and colder temperatures.
-
Technical difficultyThe technical difficulty of a climb refers to the skills and equipment required to reach the summit. A technically challenging mountain will have elements such as steep slopes, rock faces, icefalls, and snowfields that require advanced climbing skills and equipment to navigate safely.
-
Weather conditionsThe weather conditions on a mountain can have a significant impact on the difficulty of a climb. Periods of heavy rain, snowstorms, high winds, and poor visibility can make it challenging and dangerous to summit a mountain.
-
Route accessibilitySome mountains may be more difficult to reach due to their remote locations or limited access routes. This may mean that climbers have to cover long distances or navigate challenging terrain just to reach the base of the mountain.
-
Duration of the climbSome mountains require multiple days to climb due to their height, technical challenges, or route accessibility. It's essential to consider the physical and mental demands of an extended climb when measuring the difficulty of a mountain.
-
Experience levelThe difficulty of a climb will also depend on the experience level of the climbers. A mountain may be considered challenging for beginners but relatively straightforward for experienced mountaineers.
-
Safety and rescue facilitiesThe availability of safety and rescue infrastructure, such as mountain rescue teams or emergency shelters, can also affect the difficulty of a climb. Mountains with limited or no safety and rescue facilities may pose a higher risk to climbers, making the ascent more challenging.
-
Popularity and overcrowdingPopular mountains can sometimes become overcrowded, leading to issues such as difficult route finding, queues at critical points, and increased safety risks. This can raise the difficulty level, especially for less experienced climbers.
-
Quality of information and guide servicesThe availability of reliable guides, maps, and route descriptions can also impact the difficulty of a climb. Limited information or inexperienced guides can present additional challenges for climbers in unfamiliar areas.
-
Environmental factorsSome mountains may present unique environmental challenges, such as unstable rock, glacier travel, or exposure to the elements. These factors can contribute to the overall difficulty of the climb.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult mountain to climb in Ireland. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or mountain is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2178 views
- 214 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each mountain once every 24 hours. The rank of each mountain is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
Trendings topics
Don't miss out on the currently trending topics of StrawPoll Rankings!
More information on most difficult mountain to climb in ireland
Ireland is home to numerous mountains and peaks that challenge hikers and climbers from all over the world. However, when it comes to the most difficult mountain to climb in Ireland, there are a few that stand out from the rest. The Irish terrain is rugged and can be quite challenging to navigate, especially when it comes to the country's tallest peaks. The mountains in Ireland are known for their unpredictable weather, making the climb even more challenging. To determine the most difficult mountain to climb in Ireland, it is important to take into account various factors such as altitude, terrain, and weather conditions. Let's take a closer look at some of the most challenging mountains to climb in Ireland.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
